Comments on the Role of Music in the Prague University Milieu at the beginning of the Seventeenth Century
Abstract
The chapter consists of two case studies considering the role of music within the academic milieu in Prague at the beginning of the 17th century. The first case study focuses on the hitherto neglected treatise "Idea unionis seu duarum nobiliss. encyclopaediae gemmarum, musicae et poeticae, brevis adumbratio" (Prague 1617) of Václav Clemens Žebrácký (ca. 1589-1637).
The unique copy of this treatise is preserved in the library of the castle Křivoklát under the shelf-mark XLIV f 12. The text which is a written form of a disputation held at Charles University on 8 March 1617 consists of 130 theses concerning many aspects of music and poetics.
Substantial part of the treatise is based upon the book "Synopsis musicae novae" (Strasbourg 1612) of German theologian and philosopher Johannes Lippius (1585-1612). The paper deals with similarities and differences between the two works.
The second case study focuses on the Jesuits university in Prague. There does not exist any treatise on music theory defended at the Jesuit's university.
However, there are more witnesses of music performances during the academic ceremonies than at the Charles university. One of them is a carmen gratulatorium written by Matyáš Mencelius z Kolsdorfu and Jiří Vilém Michna z Vacínova (+ 1640) under the title "Αὐτοσχέδιον nobilibus [...] dominis, qui in alma Caesarea regiaque Academia Pragensi prima in artibus liberalibus et philosophia laurea inaugurato coronati sunt 15.
Calend. Maias anno 1608" (Prague 1608).
The collection is exceptional because of its theatrical character and a polyphonic musical notation used for the participation of a choir. The quality of the composition proves the familiarity with conteporary musical style abroad.